Children First Classes are scheduled at the Jasper County Health Depar
tment. This class is for any divorcing/separating couples who have minor ch
ildren and is required by Illinois law. The purpose of the class is to help
the parents understand the effects of the divorce/separation on their chil
dren and to reduce some of the negative consequences of this process. Child
ren First Class is scheduled for afternoon hours Wednesday, July 17 from 8
a.m.-noon. with registration beginning at 7:30 a.m. Cost of the classes are
$75, due before the class begins. Do not bring your children to this sessi
on.

The next class will be Wednesday, November 20 wit
h times at 8:00am-12:00pm, with registration beginning at 7:30 am. You are
required to complete the entire four hour session to be certified for the c
lass. Also, do not bring your children to this session.

The State of Illinois requires couples who have minor children, particip
ate in a minimum of four hours of education regarding divorce/separation, i
ts effects on the children and other related issues such as custody and vis
itation. Couples should not be enrolled in the same group and there must be
at least two clients enrolled to hold the month's session. Instructors for
the course will be Amy Deel-Hout, M.S., LCPC and Stacey Ping, M.S., LPC, N
CC, QMHP.

You may pre-register or for more informatio
n, phone the Jasper County Health Department at 618-783-4154 or come to the
office at 106 E. Edwards Street in Newton at least a half hour early on th
e first day of class. Classes are held monthly with the next classes August
21 (3-7 p.m.), September 18 (8 a.m.-noon), October 16 (3-7 p.m.) and Novem
ber 20 (8 a.m.-noon).